Dave's fave restaurants


17 Oct 2018 | Last update: 23 Dec 2020

A few of my own regular go-to places and one or two treats.

Make sure you understand what a "Menu del dia" is, the secret to eating well without breaking the bank. See my Menu del dia page for an explanation.

I highly recommend you check out my good friend Bill Sinclair's blog about the most interesting bars and restaurants in Barcelona. His articles are published in various places including the Guardian. Check out his blog at Bill in Barcelona. Not just food, but all kinds of curiosities around the city. He's a real enthusiast!

And if you're looking to push the boat out, you must visit the gourmet food blog Food Barcelona. The very best restaurants reviewed by a professional food critic. Inspirational!

Delicamon
Port Olimpic
First off, not a restaurant at all, just a cafe and sandwich bar. But they are located just outside the port so ideal for stocking up on sandwiches, snacks and drinks before your sail. They offer a selection of really rather nice sandwiches.
Barca de Salamanca
Port Olimpic
Ideal for lunch after a morning sail. Very popular with locals, usually with a busy vibe. There are several very similar restaurants in the marina, Salamanca currently gets my vote for their friendly, efficient service and reliable quality.
Can Ros
Barceloneta
A hidden gem, this neighbourhood restaurant offers a high quality lunch menu at a very fair price. If you're in the barrio in the afternoon, treat yourself.
La Bombeta
Barceloneta
A famous, lively spot for excellent tapes. Go in a group, expect a noisy, fun ambience with not much elbow room betweeen the tables. Order a whole bunch of stuff and get stuck in. Wash it all down with their excellent, cheerful, cheap-as-chips turbio wine, a young white wine still cloudy with yeast. They have more rooms out back so even if it seems full from the outside, if there's not a queue they probably have space.
Morryssom
Diagonal/Gracia
Great spot for tapes and wine in the evening.
Try their zarajos, a dish from the city of Cuenca. I only know one other place in Barcelona serving these. Incredibly rich lamb's intestines (I know, but trust me on this!) wrapped around vine twigs and roasted.
Goliard
Diagonal/Gracia
Lovely, quiet place for dinner. They offer an excellent tasting menu for about €25.
Nou Can Codina
Diagonal/Gracia
Every bar in Barcelona serves croquettes, and they're dull as dishwater. Not here. They have about 8 different varieties and they're all mouthwatering. You can get a variety pack with one of each for about 9 Euros. Fantastic!
The Pulpo a la Gallega here is unique, and fantastic. A whole octopus arm, or leg, whatever, tentacle I guess, served with potatoes and seasoned with cayenne pepper. Everywhere else serves this with the tentacle already sliced. Also, a lot of places overcook it, so it comes out rubbery. Not here. Cooked to perfection and uniquely presented. You'll want to take photos of this one!
Their morcilla is amazing. A simple blood sausage on a piece of toasted bread.
And while we're here, did I mention they have a great selection of local craft beers?
This place has a tavern vibe, popular with locals, often busy.
Peruà Andino
Sagrada Familia
If you're visiting Sagrada Familia - or Hospital Sant Pau (and you should) - you can escape the tourist traps and choose this excellent Peruvian restaurant instead.

What our customers say

Over 250 ★★★★★ reviews

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Champagne & the Sea

What a wonderful and relaxing three hours out on the sea with friends! This is an amazing company to use as you can do what you want, it isn't like the big stuff companies that lay everything out for you. We brought our own champagne and food for a picnic on the boat, it was lovely! If you have a group of 4 or more would highly recommend booking out the entire boat, it is just lovely!
Lacey J | South Boston, Massachusetts, United States

A flawless Barcelona Experience, beautiful sailing adventure!

We have nothing but good things to say about our sailing trip with Dave. We created this Trip Advisor account just so that we could write a review for this experience. We went on a morning excursion that took us about 2 miles off the Barcelona coastline and lasted around 3 hours. The harbor was actually closed when we started but he still took us out for the full experience despite the delay. Very accommodating when I got a little sea-sick and was more than understanding, which was a huge positive for us. We slept in the sun for quite a bit of our journey. If you're worried about having to carry a conversation or awkward silences, don't be! He was very charming and conversational when needed but gave us our space as well. We will definitely be doing this again next time we are in the area!
Kipdsumner | Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany

Great start to the trip

We went on an afternoon sail the first day of our honeymoon. It was a great relaxing day to get accustomed to the time change. Gemini is a great old wooden sail boat, and Dave is hilarious. It was my husband's favorite part of Spain (we went to Barcelona, Sevilla and Granada). It was just a nice relaxing day. We went swimming, drank some wine, husband smoked a cigar. Nothing not to like.
NattyLynn | New York City, New York

Exiciting...and calm! Awesome sailing trip!

We had booked with Dave for 4 adults and 1 child on a Friday afternoon. However, once we took off into our sailing trip, the waves were crazy! The boat was at 45 degrees most of the time. My 7 year old and I enjoyed it very much, but the wife and auntie were hanging on for their lives! Well, after almost an hour of this excitement, Skipper Dave called it off and we headed to port. A man of his words, he'd volunteered to refund most of our trip due to weather, but we opted to reschedule. So, again, we went on Monday morning. Calm sea and beautiful weather. This time it was a very smooth ride. We stopped for a few an took a dip in the clear cobalt blue sea. A very relaxing trip. Anyways, bring your own food and water. Enjoy the view and relax...But I have to say, I loved battling the waves!!!
phuwanai1194 | Atlanta, Georgia

A wonderful evening with Captain Dave

Captain Dave and his boat Gemini were the perfect escape from the urban Barcelona. We booked an afternoon sail however he contacted us and advised we go a bit later to enjoy the sunset. It was beautiful. My love and I had the boat to ourselves and Captain Dave was a perfect balance of accommodating and knowledgeable, while at the same time leaving us to ourselves so we could soak in the experience.
braddog8 | Bozeman, Montana

Fantastic afternoon's sailing on Gemini with Skipper Dave

We took a 3 hour sailing trip with Skipper Dave - it was by far my favourite part of the holiday, and represented excellent value for money.
dduffy41 |

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